Pumpkin harvest big success for Moharimet School

Four fourth graders gave the selectmen a break from their paperwork on Sept. 14, when they brought to Town Hall four of the 400 pumpkins grown on town land near Moharimet School.

Speaking for the 385 Moharimet School students, Melanie Banafato thanked the selectmen for allowing the school to have the garden. She was supported by three other fourth graders: Nico LePore, Lindsey Stenmack, and Miles Goldberg, as well as kindergartener Andrew McEwan.

Moharimet School Principal Dennis Harrington added a note of appreciation "for all Madbury's done for this school." Food Service Coordinator Doris Demers promised that there would be pumpkin soup.

Parents/gardeners Karen Niland and Rebecca McEwan stressed that the pumpkiin garden is a community endeavor, pointing out that the watering was made simpler because Shaler McReel loaned a soaking hose.

Four pumpkins were left to decorate the Town Hall. The annual Pumpkin Walk will take place on October 25.

Business items taken up by the selectmen on Sept. 14 included appointing Gregory Bisson as a part-time police officer. Jay Moriarty reported that Artisan Electric of Madbury will be replacing the electrical panel at the library and that some trees on Mast Road near the Proulx garage will be removed since they could be a hazard in a storm.

It was voted to offer the part-time Building Inspector's job to Justin Corrow. The selectmen noted that they had received applications from seven "qualified candidates" for this job. Each applicant was interviewed.

Paving of the right-of-way to the Old Stage Campground will take place soon, and there will be some new paint applied to the front of the Town Hall this fall.

ELECTIONS NEWS

According to Town Clerk Kitty Cornwell, there are 1,271 registered voters in town. On Sept. 11, only 363 cast ballots: 216 Democrats and 147 Republicans. Of particular interest is the fact that State Representative Janet Wall (Madbury) received the greatest number of votes cast in the District 6 House race.

District 6 encompasses Durham and Madbury and will have five representatives. The other four on the Democratic ticket are Durham residents. Only two Republicans were on the ballot, hence both will be on the Nov. 6 ballot. One of these is David Childs of Madbury.

The Town Clerk reported that 45 voters didn't have a photo ID; three expressed opposition to the new ID law which will be enforced aafter Nov. 1. Cornwell said that it is possible to obtain a free ID from the state and that vouchers for IDs will be available from her office after Oct. 1.

Also available at Town Hall is an "Explanatory Document" relative to the new voter ID law, which lists eight types of IDs which will be accepted by the ballot clerks. This new law becomes effective Nov. 1, but any voter who does not present an approved photo ID on Nov. 6 will be allowed to vote after executing a "challenged voter affidavit."

Voting hours on Nov. 6 will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

AT THE LIBRARY

Fall activities at the Madbury Public Library are under way. September 24 (tomorrow) will be busy with the following:

(1) Story-time for pre-schoolers at 10:30 a.m.

(2) Daytime Book Group at 2 p.m. (October's book: "Home" by Toni Morrison)

(3) McGregor Emergency EMS at 6 p.m. for CPR session

(4) Quilters at 6 p.m.

Rosa, a Registered Reading Dog, will visit the library on the first Monday of each month (October, November, December) from 3 to 5 p.m. Any youngster may sign up now for a reserved 20-minute session of reading to Rosa.

The Evening Book Group is reading "Music and Science" by Rose Tremain. They meet at 7 p.m. on the first Monday monthly and welcome new members. The current book is available at the library.

While story-times for preschoolers are scheduled for Mondays and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m., the story-time for this week on Thursday, Sept. 27, has been cancelled.

The Friends of Madbury Library have scheduled Book Sales for Nov. 3 and Nov. 6.